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UA's next opponent tries to salvage season after early close losses
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008
Ohio might be headed to its worst record in recent years, but coach Frank Solich expects his Bobcats to be competitive in their remaining games with the University of Akron and Miami.
''It's always a challenge when things aren't going well and you are not hitting on all cylinders,'' said Solich, whose team is 2-8 overall and 1-5 in the Mid-American Conference headed to a home game Saturday against the Zips. ''Our players come back out and prepare to get better and better.
''It's easy for some teams to unravel when the season doesn't go their way. But I don't see that being the case with our team. You have to pride yourself in playing the game.''
The Bobcats had a challenging early schedule that included close losses to Wyoming (21-20), Ohio State (26-14), Central Michigan (31-29) and Northwestern (16-8).
Those efforts and scores gave hope to Ohio fans headed into the meat of the MAC schedule. But a series of injuries, including the losses of quarterback Theo Scott and tailback Donte Harden, has hampered the team's development.
''We are not the same team that we were earlier in the year in terms of personnel. That's hit us hard,'' said Solich, a Cleveland native who has a 21-26 record in four years with the Bobcats.
The Bobcats' primary fundamental breakdown is easy to pinpoint. Ohio is last in the MAC and 110th in the country out of 119 teams in turnover margin. They have 28 turnovers (15 fumbles lost and 13 interceptions) against 17 gained (seven fumble recoveries and 10 interceptions) for a margin of minus-11.
''I can't remember a year in coaching when I have had a team that has turned the ball over like this team has done,'' said Solich, who was the coach at Nebraska for six years (1998-2003) and an assistant for the Cornhuskers for 18 years (1979-97).
In other MAC developments:
Akron (5-5, 3-3) — In games through Saturday, the Zips are the only team in the East Division to beat a team from the West Division — and UA has done it twice. The Zips downed Eastern Michigan 42-35 on Oct. 18 and Toledo 47-30 on Nov. 5. The other six teams in the East are 0-11 against the West.
Buffalo (6-4, 4-2) — Zips fans saw a steady and consistent quarterback in the Bulls' Drew Willy last week in a 43-40 loss to UB. It should be noted that Willy is one of seven four-year starters at quarterback in the Division I ranks. Against the Zips, he became the school's all-time leader in touchdown passes (45) and yards passing (7,792).
Bowling Green (5-5, 3-3) — The Falcons' defense, a weak link early in the season, has shown much improvement. BG has blanked its last two opponents — Kent State and Ohio — in the first half. The Falcons allowed their fewest yards this season (229) in beating the Bobcats 28-3 on Nov. 8.
Eastern Michigan (2-8, 1-5) — Much was made recently of the 18 days off between games for the University of Akron. Well, EMU is in the middle of an even longer break. The Eagles lost to Western Michigan 31-10 on Nov. 1 and don't play again until meeting Temple on Saturday.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Ohio might be headed to its worst record in recent years, but coach Frank Solich expects his Bobcats to be competitive in their remaining games with the University of Akron and Miami.
Get the full article here.
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